Act 5 — THE EPILOGUE AT THE FRIARS.
Reading edition
What shall the Author do? It madness were To entreat a mercy from you, who are severe Stern judges, and a pardon never give; For only merit with you makes things live. He leaves you therefore to yourselves, and may You gently 'quit, or else condemn, the play, As in an upright conscience you'll think fit: Your sentence is the life and death of wit. The Author yet hath one safe plea, that though A Middlesex jury on his play should go, They cannot find the murder wilful, since 'Twas acted by command in his own defence.